ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Prime Minister's Office
Ministry of Defence signs Rs 19,600 crore contracts with Indian shipyards for acquisition of 11 Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessels & six Next Generation Missile Vessels for Indian Navy
PM says that this will strengthen the Indian Navy and add momentum to our aim of Aatmanirbharta
In a tweet Office of Raksha Mantri informed that Ministry of Defence, on March 30, 2023, signed contracts with Indian shipyards for acquisition of 11 Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessels and six Next Generation Missile Vessels at an overall cost of approx. Rs 19,600 crore.
In reply to RMO India tweet, the Prime Minister said;
“This will strengthen the Indian Navy and add momentum to our aim of Aatmanirbharta.”
Ministry of Defence
INS Tarkash at Walvis Bay, Namibia
In continuation of the Indian Navy’s overseas deployment to Africa, Europe and Russia, Indian Naval Ship Tarkash made a port call at Walvis Bay, Namibia today, on 15 Sep 19 for a three days visit. The port call by INS Tarkash at Walvis Bay is a demonstration of India’s warm ties with Namibia and its commitment to enhance operational reach, maritime security and its solidarity with friendly nations.
INS Tarkash commanded by Captain Sathish Vasudev, is a state of the art warship of the Indian Navy equipped with a versatile range of weapons and sensors capable of addressing threats in all the three dimensions. The ship is part of the Indian Navy’s Western Fleet and is under the operational Command of Flag Officer Commanding –in –Chief, Western Naval Command, based at Mumbai.
During the visit, the Commanding Officer of the ship will pay courtesy calls on Namibian dignitaries and senior defence officers, including the Chief of the Namibian Navy. Professional interactions are planned with the Namibian Navy towards further enhancing co-operation between the two forces. In addition, social engagements, exchange visit of ships, sports event and sharing of best practices are also organised.
India and Namibia have enjoyed warm and friendly bilateral relations sharing common values of democracy, development and secularism. A number of bilateral arrangements for co-operation and military exchange exist between the two countries. As part of its defence cooperation, India, over the years, has extended training to a large number of Namibian military officers in various military institutions.
Indian Navy ships are regularly deployed as part of Indian Navy’s mission of building ‘bridges of friendship’ and strengthening international cooperation with friendly countries as well as to address maritime concerns across the globe. The current visit seeks to accentuate India’s peaceful presence and solidarity with friendly countries and, in particular, to strengthen the existing bonds of friendship between India and Namibia.
VM/AC
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Ministry of Information & Broadcasting
Shri Sitanshu Kar takes over as DG, PIB
Mr Sitanshu Ranjan Kar, a 1983 batch officer of Indian Information Service, took over as the 27th Principal Spokesperson of the Government of India and Director General of Press Information Bureau in New Delhi today.
He succeeds Mr Frank Noronha, who superannuated yesterday.
In a career spanning nearly 35 years, Mr Kar has worked in key positions in various Media Units of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
After attending the Foundation Course at Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration, Mussoorie and Orientation Course at Indian Institute of Mass Communication, New Delhi, Mr Kar had joined the News Services Division of All India Radio for a short stint before moving to Doordarshan News. He spent nearly 17 years in this medium and played a substantial role in its growth. In 1988, he became the first Indian to win the prestigious Visnews Fellowship of London in a world-wide competition and traveled through Europe and North America to experience the cutting-edge technologies being used in the production of television news by leading broadcasters.
Mr. Kar joined the Press Information Bureau in 2003. He anchored the publicity of several key Ministries e.g., Environment & Forests, Rural Development, Human Resource Development, Science & Technology, Atomic Energy and Space before joining the Directorate of Public Relations, Ministry of Defence as the Principal Spokesperson in August 2005.
He has the distinction of being the longest serving spokesperson of the Ministry of Defence for over a decade at a stretch.
In December 2015, he was appointed as the Director General of the News Services Division of All India Radio.
Mr Kar had graduated in Humanities from BJB College, Bhubaneswar and secured the First Rank in Political Science Honours in Utkal University. He earned his post-graduate degree in Political Science and M. Phil in Chinese and Japanese Studies from Delhi University.
Prime Minister's Office
PM condoles demise of former Gujarat Minister Shri Devanandbhai Solanki
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has condoled the demise of former Minister of Gujarat Shri Devanandbhai Solanki.
In a tweet, the Prime Minister said :
"Saddened on death of former Minister of Gujarat Shri Devanandbhai Solanki.His social contribution shall be remembered for ever.My deep prayers for peace to the departed soul and consolation to the bereaved family....Om shanti!"
Prime Minister's Office
PM bows to Swami Vivekananda on his Jayanti
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has bowed to Swami Vivekananda, on his Jayanti.
“I bow to Swami Vivekananda on his Jayanti. Today, on National Youth Day I salute the indomitable energy and enthusiasm of our youngsters, who are the builders of New India”, the Prime Minister said.
Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment
Steps Taken by Government to Deal with Casteism and Communalism in the Country
The Central Government provides assistance to State Governments/ Union Territory Administrations towards incentive for inter-caste marriages, where one of the spouses is a member of a Scheduled Caste. Besides, such couples whose annual income is up to Rs. 5.00 lakh can also directly seek an incentive of Rs. 2.50 lakh under ‘Dr. Ambedkar Scheme for Social Integration through Inter-Caste Marriages’ started during 2014-15 of the Dr. Ambedkar Foundation.
The Ministry of Home Affairs  has issued the Communal Harmony guidelines in 2008,  suitable advisories and alert messages are also sent to the State Governments/Union Territory Administrations from time to time,  activities of organizations having a bearing on communal harmony in the country are also kept under the watch of law enforcement agencies, and requisite legal action is taken, where deemed necessary.
This information was given by Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Shri Rattan Lal Katariain a written reply in Lok Sabha today.
Ministry of Defence
Indian Navy sets up Quarantine Facility at Visakhapatnam
In an effort to augment Nation’s fight against the spread of CoViD-19, Indian Navy has set up a Quarantine Camp at INS Vishwakarma in Eastern Naval Command  for Indian nationals being evacuated from CoViD 19 affected countries.
The Quarantine Camp is fully equipped to accommodate nearly 200 personnel with all suitable facilities and other arrangements.
The evacuated personnel in the camp will be closely monitored to ensure Social Distancing and under medical supervision in accordance with the protocols laid down by the Department of Health & Family Welfare, Govt. of India by a team of naval personnel and medical professionals of ENC.
As a precautionary measure, the evacuated persons would be kept under quarantine for a period of fourteen days. ENC is proactively coordinating with the Health Officials from State and District Administration to ensure adequate preventive care is provided to all evacuated personnel and to prevent the spread of the virus.
Government of India is taking all necessary steps to ensure that we are prepared well to face the challenge and threat posed by the growing pandemic of COVID 19 – the Corona Virus. With the active support of the people of India, we have been able to contain the spread of the Virus in our country.
Prime Minister's Office
PM’s interaction through PRAGATI
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, today chaired his twentieth interaction through PRAGATI - the ICT-based, multi-modal platform for Pro-Active Governance and Timely Implementation.
The Prime Minister began the meeting with a review of the situation arising out of flood and other natural calamities in the North-Eastern States. He assured the States of all possible help from the Centre.
The Prime Minister urged all Chief Secretaries to work expeditiously towards ensuring that all traders register under the GST regime, and this task is completed before August 15th.
The Prime Minister reviewed the progress towards handling and resolution of grievances related to CPWD, and Directorate of Estates. He asked the Ministry of Urban Development to proactively monitor the same, with sensitivity. He urged CPWD to encourage all vendors to come aboard the Government e-Marketplace  platform.
The Prime Minister reviewed the progress of vital and long-pending infrastructure projects in the railway, road and petroleum sectors, spread over several states including Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, and Arunachal Pradesh. The projects reviewed today, include the Chennai Beach-Korukkupet third line and the Chennai Beach-Attippattu fourth line; the Howrah-Amta-Champadanga new Broad Gauge line; and four-laning of Varanasi bypass; four-laning of Muzaffarnagar-Haridwar section of NH-58. Noting that several of the projects reviewed today have been pending for decades, and in one case, over four decades, the Prime Minister urged all Chief Secretaries to take all possible steps to avoid delays, and resulting cost escalations. He emphasized on speedy implementation of such infrastructure projects.
The Prime Minister reviewed the progress of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana . He urged the concerned departments to accelerate the adoption of new construction technologies at the earliest.
Ministry of Commerce & Industry
Commerce and Industry Minister Shri PiyushGoyal meets Service exporters
Exhorts them to develop competitive advantage, focus on quality, and explore new destinations and services
Calls the Services sector to reduce import dependence, and give opportunity to large and varied skilled workforce within the country
The Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Shri PiyushGoyal today held a meeting, through video-conferencing, with office bearers of the Services Export Promotion Council , and stakeholders representing various Services sector. The stakeholders made several suggestions and demands during the meeting, in the wake of Covid-19 pandemic, subsequent lockdown, and the ongoing Unlocking. Services sector is important for Indian external trade- the RBI data shows that in April, 2020, the Services exports were Rs 1,25,409 Crore and imports were Rs 70,907 Crore.
Responding to various suggestions, Shri PiyushGoyal said that the services sector has large potential, but the same has not been harnessed fully. He said that the segment, which has been most successful in the Services, is the IT and allied services, and it flourished due to its own capabilities, and without seeking much of the Government’s support, which many a times comes with the bureaucratic strings and control as well. He called upon the industry to develop competitive advantage, focus on quality, and explore new destinations and services. The Minister said that the Government also has priorities and limitations- it can make focused and policy interventions, help the sector/industry in its nascent stages/startup level, help them grow, check the unfair practices, but can’t be seen providing support all the time. He called upon the participants to give constructive and forward-looking suggestions. He said that Indian missions abroad have started pitching in effectively to explore Indian exports there.
The Minister exhorted the Services sector to see Covid crisis as an opportunity, and not as a challenge. He said the world is going to be different post-Covid, as new norms are setting in, in terms of work, education, entertainment, health etc. On certain suggestions, the minister said that the sectors themselves should first build consensus on them, by talking to all stakeholders. He said that there is no reason why the Services sector has so much import, when we have a large and varied skilled workforce. He called upon the sector to take the help of Indians in various services, and in fact help in upgrading their skills by exposure and capacity-building.
YB
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Vice President's Secretariat
Earth Sciences Ministry officials apprise Vice President on the status of NIOT’s Seafront Research Facility in Nellore, Andhra Pradesh;
Vice President advises the ministry to expedite the process by resolving legal issues
The Vice President of India, Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu has advised the Union Minister for Science and Technology, Shri Harsh Vardhan to expedite the setting up of a new research facility of National Institute of Ocean Technology  at Thupilipallam village in Nellore District of Andhra Pradesh.
The Vice President, while enquiring about the development projects in Andhra Pradesh, noted that the process for setting up the research facility was moving at snail’s pace due to legal hurdles. He immediately spoke to the Union Minister, Shri Harsh Vardhan.
Subsequently, the Secretary, Ministry of Earth Sciences, Dr. M. Rajeevan and the Advisor, Ministry of Earth Sciences, Dr. M.P. Wakdikar called on the Vice President and briefed him on the status of the project, here today.
The officials informed the Vice President that while 97.37 acres was acquired for the proposed facility, the process got delayed due to litigation pertaining to a portion of the land. The Vice President also spoke to the Collector, Nellore District and asked him to have the legal issues resolved at the earliest. He also wanted the Ministry of Earth Sciences to quicken the process for establishing the facility.
The foundation stone for the Rs.250 crore state-of-the-art seafront facility was laid on April 25, 2016 by Shri Harsh Vardhan as the Union Minister for Science and Technology in the presence of Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu when he was the Union Minister for Urban Development and the then Chief Minister, Shri N. Chandrababu Naidu.
The proposed facility envisages real time prototype testing, calibration, trials and demonstration of ocean technological activities at sea, development of prototype systems, validation of indigenously developed marine systems in the ocean, including establishment of laboratory and testing facilities on the seashore.
A long-term master plan has also been prepared considering the long-term development of test facilities.
Prime Minister's Office
PM urges all members, parties and their leaders to support The Constitution  Bill, 2023 in the Rajya Sabha
“Every word of this discussion will be useful to all of us in our upcoming Parliamentary journey”
“The spirit of all political parties in this discussion will rekindle a new self-confidence among the people of the country”
The Prime Minister rose to conclude the debates on The Constitution  Bill, 2023 in the Rajya Sabha and remarked that fruitful discussions and debates have been going on in both Houses for the past two days where roughly 132 Hon’ble Members have voiced their opinions. “Every word in this discussion has its own significance and meaning”, the Prime Minister said as he underlined that these meaningful discussions will be extremely useful in the nation’s upcoming Parliamentary journey.
Reiterating the support by the Members of the House for the bill, the Prime Minister thanked them and said, “This spirit will rekindle a new self-confidence among the people of the country, and all Members and all the political parties have played a very important role.” He emphasized it is not that women power is getting special respect with the passage of the bill, but it is infusing a new energy to the women power of our country through the positive thinking of all the political parties towards this bill. He further added that the bill will become the guarantee of India’s bright future as it will step forward with leadership and contribute towards nation-building with new confidence.
Concluding the address, the Prime Minister expressed gratitude for the sentiments expressed throughout the thoughtful discussions and urged the Upper House to pass the bill by voting unanimously.
Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment
Implementation of Seed Scheme
The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment is implementing a Scheme for Economic Empowerment of DNTs  for Development and Welfare of DNTs. In order to ensure that the benefit of the scheme reaches to the real targeted beneficiaries, the Ministry has also developed and opened the portal for SEED in September, 2022 calling for applications. About 4700 applications available on the portal have been extracted from the portal and forwarded to State Governments for verification.
There is no such information available in the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment.
This information was given by The Minister of State Social Justice and Empowerment Sushri Pramita Bhoumik in the Lok Sabha in a written reply today.
Prime Minister's Office
PM praises efforts towards clean water supply in Patratu, Jharkhand
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has praised the efforts towards supplying clean water in Patratu, Jharkhand.
Sharing a tweet by Member of Parliament from Hazaribagh, Shri Jayant Sinha about the completion of water filter plant and water tower at the cost of ₹ 50 cr in Patratu, Jharkhand, the Prime Minister tweeted:
“बहुत ही सराहनीय प्रयास! स्वच्छ पानी की यह सुविधा झारखंड में पतरातू की हमारी माताओं और बहनों के जीवन को बहुत आसान बनाने वाली है।”
Ministry of Development of North-East Region
SUCCESS STORY - AN ACTIVE MEMBER OF ELLANG NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT GROUP  PROMOTED BYTHE NERCORMP III PROJECT UNDER MINISTRY OF DONER.
NERCORMP, Churachandpur district, Manipur
Ms.Lhingkhohoi, 43 years old, from D. Vaison village and an active member of Ellang NaRMG promoted under the NERCORMPIII project. She lives with her husband and fivechildren. She belongs to the poorest household in the village. Although most of the households are engaged in agriculture, she earns her living by weaving and is able to support her family. However, since funds are required to purchase raw materials, continuing work after a weaving cycle is a major challenge. In addition, the loom was old and the work could not progress as expected. Because of this special reason, she couldn't stick to her job and gradually switched to farming like the others.
When the NERCORMP project started, she intervened in her village in 2014, she was chosen as the beneficiary of the hand loom because of her skills and past experience. The project supported her Rs 15,000 /. Through NaRMG to restart its loom business. With the money she received, she bought a new loom and accessories. Currently, she actively participatesof her businesses without any financial hindrance and can also save money to support her business. She can earn around Rs. 7,000 /in year month out of from her business and with the surplus she earns she can feed her two kids going to school and also buy a new gas stove and almirah. She is very grateful and can now manage her family better, and the work can support her.
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions
India and Singapore held meeting on the subject of “Personnel Management and Public Administration”.
India and Singapore held a bilateral meeting last evening through virtual mode under the aegis of Memorandum of Understanding  entered into between Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions and Public Service Division , Prime Minister’s Office, Singapore on 01st June, 2018 on the subject of “Personnel Management and Public Administration”.
The bilateral meeting was led by Shri Sanjay Singh, Secretary, DARPG from Indian side and Mr. Loh Khum Yean, Permanent Secretary, PSD, Singapore from Singapore side.
During the meeting, both sides shared experiences on Good Governance Practices in a Pandemic, Transforming Leaderships and Ethics, Capacity Building and Training of Leaders and Public Officers, Citizen Centric Governance and identified Citizen-centric service delivery and E-governance as potential areas for future collaboration.
Since the scope of cooperation laid down under the MoU is immensely relevant to the processes of development in both the countries, both sides’ decided to share the best practices on current technology tools and processes of governance, capacity building, service delivery etc. so that both the nations could benefit through cross learning.
Ministry of Agriculture &
Farmers Welfare
Union Budget 2021-22: Agricultural Produce Marketing Committees  to get access to Agriculture Infrastructure Fund
In the Union Budget 2021-22, Finance Minister, Nirmala Sitharaman, announced that Agricultural Produce Marketing Committees  will become eligible beneficiaries to utilize the 1 lakh crore financing facility under Agriculture Infrastructure Fund  to enhance infrastructure at regulated markets, commonly known as Mandis.
APMCs are state controlled markets that are setup to provide market linkages to farmers. Market yards or Mandis provide space for auction to ensure that farmers obtain best possible price for their produce. However, these markets continue to require up gradation and set up of more modern infrastructure. With access to low cost credit under AIF, they can setup post-harvest infrastructure such as sorting and grading units, assaying units, drying yards, cold storages, and warehouses for the benefit of farmers for better price realization of quality produce, ability to store and sell at a better price and minimize post of harvest looses.
Availability of post-harvest infrastructure will help the farmers to enhance their income through effective value chain. Availability of warehouses with financing facilities will help the farmers to store the agriculture produce and sell at optimal prices. Perishables such as fruits, vegetables and flowers require low temperatures throughout the value chain to enhance shelf life and preserve quality. Hence, availability of cold storages at markets will result in direct benefit to the farmers on premium farm produce. The suitable infrastructure will help to reduce the post-harvest losses, which can be as high as 5-10% of the produce. Hence, up gradation of infrastructure at regulated markets has the potential to enhance farm income and also support other stakeholders across the value chain, which also have the access to this infrastructure.
The AIF is a medium - long term debt financing facility for investment in viable projects for post-harvest management infrastructure and community farming assets through interest subvention and credit guarantee. The duration of the scheme is from FY2020 to FY2029. Under the scheme, Rs. 1 Lakh Crore will be provided by banks and financial institutions as loans with interest subvention of 3% per annum and credit guarantee coverage under CGTMSE for loans up to Rs. 2 Crore. The beneficiaries include farmers, FPOs, PACS, Marketing Cooperative Societies, SHGs, Joint Liability Groups , Multipurpose Cooperative Societies, Agri-entrepreneurs, Start-ups, and Central/State agency or Local Body sponsored Public-Private Partnership Projects, and now APMC mandis.